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The Houston Astros officially announced the signing of UNC right-handed pitcher J.B. Bukauskas. The Astros selected Bukauskas with the 15th overall selection in the 2017 MLB Draft.
The Astros have signed first-round pick, RHP J.B. Bukauskas. Welcome to Houston!
— Houston Astros (@astros) July 7, 2017
Official release: https://t.co/uvpWVvg8k3 pic.twitter.com/VxECT5jTqp
Bukauskas, 20, was 9-1 with a 2.53 ERA (26ER/92.2IP), 116 strikeouts and a .188 opponent batting average in 15 starts with the University of North Carolina. The Tar Heels Friday night starter in 2017, was a finalist for the Golden Spikes Award, which is awarded to the top amateur baseball player in the United States.
Houston did not divulge the details of Bukauskas’ contract but MLB.com’s Jim Callis has the righty signing just over slot at $3.6 million. The No.15 overall pick is slotted at $3,588,200.
1st-rder J.B. Bukauskas signs w/@Astros for $3.6 mil (pick 15=$3,588,200). North Carolina RHP, mid-90s fastball, best slider in @MLBDraft.
— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) July 6, 2017
The Astros also announced the signing of catcher Michael Papierski (9th round), right-handed pitcher Kyle Serrano (10th round), right-handed pitcher Brandon Bielak (11th round), right fielder Jonathan Lacroix (12th round), center fielder Jacob Meyers (13th round), right fielder Patrick Mathis (22nd round), second baseman Josh Rojas (26th round) and center fielder Andres Santana (29th round).
It may be the final signing for the Astros with the deadline for signing draft picks ending at 4 p.m. CT on Friday. Houston has signed 36 of their 42 overall picks thus far.